Bahrain And Schengen: Exploring Visa Relationship

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is not a member of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is required to travel there. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have officially abolished their passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. These countries have a common visa policy that allows visitors to travel to all the countries that are part of the Schengen Area with a single visa.

Schengen visa requirements for Bahraini citizens

As Bahrain is not a Schengen country, Bahraini citizens need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter or travel through the Schengen area. The Schengen area includes the following countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Please note that the membership of Romania and Bulgaria is exceptional, and the removal of passport checks only applies to air and sea transport. Passport checks are still valid at land borders.

To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Check if You Need a Schengen Visa

Not everyone needs a visa to travel to the Schengen Area. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality. Bahraini citizens do require a visa to enter the Schengen area.

Step 2: Find Out Where to Submit Your Application

According to the Visa Code, you must file your Schengen visa application at one of the following:

• An embassy or consulate of the destination country.
• A designated visa centre authorised by the embassy of your destination country to handle visa submissions.
• The embassy or consulate of another Schengen state to which your destination country has delegated the responsibility for visa submissions.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Once you’ve figured out where to apply for the Schengen visa, the next step is to book an appointment. Usually, you can do this online through the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre’s website. Some embassies will not accept an appointment unless done on their official website. It is recommended to inquire about appointments at least one month before you plan to travel.

Step 4: Fill Out the Schengen Visa Application Form

You can typically fill out your visa application form online. The Schengen visa application form has the same format, no matter which country’s visa you are applying for, although the method of completing it may differ. You may have to:

• Download the application form as a PDF file, fill it out, and print it.
• Complete the application form through a designated portal provided by the embassy.
• Complete the application form through a visa application centre.

Step 5: Gather the Required Documents

You must gather the list of documents required for a Schengen visa and submit them together with the visa application form. Applications with missing documents will not be accepted. These documents typically fall into two categories:

• Standard required documents
• Specific documents based on the purpose of your travel

Please note that certain countries might request additional documents. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the embassy of the respective Schengen Member country to ask for instructions.

Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview

Although the application form can be filled out online, you still have to submit your application in person because you also have to provide your biometric information (photo and fingerprints). So, on the day of your scheduled appointment, show up on time and bring all the required documents. There may be a short interview, where you will be asked questions about the intended trip and other travel details, as well as personal questions (such as about your work, family, etc).

Step 7: Wait for a Response

Although, in most cases, it takes no more than 15 days to process a visa, there are times when this process takes much longer. That period can be extended from 15 to 45 days, depending on different circumstances. If approved, you will receive a Schengen visa with a type and validity as determined by the consular officer (no more than 90 days).

Schengen visa application process

Bahrain is not a Schengen country. However, if you are a citizen of Bahrain and you wish to travel to the Schengen area, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. Here is a detailed guide on the Schengen visa application process.

Step 1: Determine Visa Requirements

First, you need to determine whether you need a visa. The Schengen area includes 26 European countries, and a visa issued by one Schengen state is valid for travel in any Schengen state. However, you must apply for the visa from the country that is your main destination. If you are visiting multiple Schengen states with no clear main destination, you need to apply for the visa from the country you will enter first.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

The required documents for a Schengen visa application typically include:

• A valid passport (with an expiry date at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area)
• A visa application form
• Two recent ID pictures in compliance with ICAO standards
• Medical insurance covering emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation
• Supporting documents relating to your purpose of stay, financial means, accommodation, and intention to return to your home country

Step 3: Book an Appointment

In most cases, you will need to book an appointment with the consulate or visa application centre of the country you intend to visit. This appointment is for submitting your application and may be free of charge. However, some countries may require you to book the appointment before lodging the application.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

During your appointment, you will need to provide all the required documents, pay the visa application fee, and provide your biometric data, including a photo and fingerprints. The visa application process typically takes around 20 minutes at the visa centre.

Step 5: Track Your Application

After submitting your application, you can track its progress through the visa centre. The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days, but this can be extended to up to 45 days in certain cases. You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection.

Schengen member states

Bahrain is not a Schengen country. Schengen member states are countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement, which allows for the free movement of people and goods between them. There are currently 26 Schengen member states, including some of the most visited countries in Europe, such as France, Germany, and Italy. These countries have agreed to abolish passport and border control at their mutual borders, allowing for easier travel within the Schengen area.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

It is important to note that while these countries have agreed to allow free movement between them, each country still maintains its own visa policies. This means that travelers from outside the Schengen area, such as those from Bahrain, will need to obtain a Schengen visa to enter and travel within the Schengen zone. The Schengen visa allows for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and must be applied for at the embassy, consulate, or visa application center of the main destination country within the Schengen area.

Bahrain's relationship with Schengen countries

Bahrain is not a Schengen country. However, Bahraini citizens and residents need to obtain a Schengen visa if they intend to travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen area, including popular destinations such as France, Germany, and Italy. The Schengen area consists of countries that have officially abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders.

The relationship between Bahrain and the Schengen countries is primarily defined by the visa requirements and processes for travel between the regions. Schengen member states include some of the most visited countries in Europe, and Bahrain's residents and citizens often travel to these destinations for tourism, business, or medical purposes. Obtaining a Schengen visa allows individuals from Bahrain to spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area. The type of Schengen visa required depends on the purpose of travel, and there are various categories, including tourist, business, and medical visas.

The process of applying for a Schengen visa from Bahrain involves several steps. Individuals need to determine their travel dates, visa type, entry category, and primary destination within the Schengen area. They must gather the required documents, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and travel medical insurance. Applications are typically submitted to the embassy, consulate, or visa application center of the specific Schengen country they are planning to visit. The majority of these locations are in Bahrain's capital, Manama.

The relationship between Bahrain and the Schengen countries is also influenced by the presence of foreign embassies and consulates in Bahrain. Bahrain's capital, Manama, hosts embassies and consulates of various Schengen countries, facilitating visa applications and providing consular services to their citizens. Additionally, Bahrain has established bilateral relations with many European countries, including those in the Schengen area, as it is a member of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Overall, the relationship between Bahrain and the Schengen countries is characterized by the visa requirements and processes that facilitate travel and diplomatic relations between the regions. Bahrain is not a Schengen country, but its citizens and residents can obtain Schengen visas to visit the Schengen area, following the specified application procedures.

Bahrain's status as a Schengen country

Bahrain is not a Schengen country. Located in West Asia, it is an island country situated on the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 80 smaller islands.

Bahrain is not part of the European Union, and therefore, does not fall under the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that abolished many of the European Union's internal borders, enabling free movement between the member countries.

If you are a Bahraini citizen and want to travel to Europe, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa. This will allow you to spend up to 90 days in the entire Schengen area, which comprises 26 of the most visited countries in the region, including France, Germany, and Italy. The Schengen visa requirements for Bahrain citizens include the mandatory submission of several documents, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and travel medical insurance. The process also involves determining your relative travel dates, visa type, entry category, and primary destination in the Schengen area.

In summary, Bahrain is not a Schengen country, and its citizens need to obtain a Schengen visa to visit the countries in the Schengen area.

Frequently asked questions